Where every day in the kitchen is an adventure!

Inspiring People – Ella Hooper

A long, long time ago (while I was still blogging), I had the opportunity to interview the lovely Ella Hooper. If you’re Australian and around my age, then you’ll probably remember Killing Heidi. If you know Killing Heidi, then you’re sure to know their lead singer Ella Hooper! As a teenager, I absolutely loved Killing Heidi, especially their hits Superman, Super Girl, Weir and who can forget Mascara? Ella, along with the rest of Killing Heidi won four ARIAs in 2000 (Album of the Year, Best Group, Breakthrough Artist – Album & Best Rock Group) when she was only seventeen years old. Pretty inspirational, right? While Killing Heidi broke up in 2006, Ella still continues to perform and is still around on the Australian music scene, most notably for her guest appearances on ABC’s Spicks and Specks. She has also released several solo albums In Tongues and most recently Venom EP(released 7 Aug 15 – available on iTunes).

So please forgive my lateness in reporting on this interview – here it is!

You’ve been in the music industry for almost 20 years now and yet you’re still so young. What inspired you to start your journey with music? Do you have any particular moments of inspiration throughout your career that you would like to share?

I admired my parents’ record collection from a very young age, and I guess I wanted to be in it! Also as my older brother was quite talented at playing violin and guitar I wanted to copy him… I mean join in! I think I really got my ambition on after primary school when we started playing together as a duo at fetes and local things. The positive reaction gave me the hunger to chase that dream of getting in the record collection.

So many people these days have difficulty in continuing with their passions due to a lack of inspiration or they have trouble getting past hardships that always come with following your passion. Is there any advice you can offer them?

Hmmm.. That IS a tricky one! I’m still working that out myself. It’s a balancing act and I do recommend having another passion to back up your passion, i.e. a job!

Re. Inspiration, I never seem to run out of ideas. I don’t always follow through on them like I should… But I can always find something to write about. I thinks it’s about staying open to all the little things around you that can be used as grist for the mill. Anything and everything can inspire a song. If you do have a block it’s time to shake things up. Change your methods.

Do you have any tips to share with startup artists who are just beginning their journey in the music industry?

My number one tip is be yourself! What makes you unique will make you stand out and increase your chances of being remembered and cutting through.

Do you do much cooking, and if so do you have any fave dishes you love to cook?

I do love to cook, but I have to admit I’m not the main cook in my household! That honour goes to my boyfriend. I can hold my own… But I am a ‘feel’ cook. I struggle following recipes – and sometimes the food suffers for it! My best dishes are always soup. You can keep your eye on a soup. I need to keep my eyes on what I’m cooking, no disappearing off into ovens for me!
That’s when disaster strikes.

What is your favourite comfort food?

Hmm. Thai red curry fish. Or spaghetti bolognaise.

You travel around a lot for work – which city in your opinion has the best places to eat?

Melbourne is my tasty tasty home.. So I have to say Melbs. Though I think Sydney has better Thai! Shhhh….! And ramen. Better ramen too. Uh oh.

You have some pretty awesome pipes – do you have to eat or drink anything special to help out your vocal chords?

I think pineapple juice is good? And if I’ve got a cold a tom yum soup will help warm up the pipes! I have to avoid dairy, coffee and choc before singing, d’oh!

Do you have an embarrassing dining or cooking story?

Too many to recall! The rice dish that turned itself into sludge then into burgers was a good one… :/

Any other fun or unusual food-related adventures you’d like to share with us?

Cooking in the hotel room.. Hilarious. Use the kettle and the iron and dishwasher … They can all be steamers.. in a pinch. 😉

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About Me

Hi! I'm Christine - I'm a Sydney based chef student by day & food blogger by night. I love learning about food every single day and share my adventures with you here. Thanks for reading! You can contact me on christine@cookingcrusade.com - I'd love to hear from you!